NBA Finals Referee Tony Brothers Is Preparing To Run For Mayor Of Norfolk

Knicks fans and Spurs fans may hate each other right now, but there's one issue they can always come together on: The officials are public enemy No. 1. One referee is getting all of their ire as he vies for public office.

In Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Tony Brothers served as the referee of the game. Brothers is a 32-year NBA officiating veteran and holds numerous high-ranking positions in Virginia-based sports groups.

As it so happens, Brothers is planning on running for Mayor of Norfolk, Virginia after he retires in 2028. ESPN's NBA broadcast confirmed that Brothers will be running for office back in May.

Brothers even has an official "Brothers For Mayor" website, with his campaign tagline being "Bringing Norfolk together with real solutions for safer streets, affordable housing, and stronger communities."

"Backing his opponent"

Revelations of Brothers' efforts to run for office went viral during Game 2 and fans really let the man have it on social media.

"Whoever is running against Tony Brothers in the City of Norfolk in 2028 you have my unwavering support," one fan declared.

"I am willing to donate $100k to his opponents campaign regardless of political ideology," another joked.

"My brother lives in Norfolk and TRUST I will be telling him to vote for Tony's opponent," a third wrote.

"Is there a corrupt super PAC that's been set up to support his opponent? I'll donate right this second."

"I wouldn't vote for Tony Brothers if he was running against Stalin himself."

"So help me God I'm backing the other side."

What's funnier is that there's really no separation between Knicks and Spurs fans among people making these comments. Fans of both teams emerged from Game 2 with pretty equal disdain for the 61-year-old referee.

Suffice it to say, Brothers had better hope that there isn't a large swath of Knicks or Spurs fans in Norfolk that he doesn't know about. Otherwise his campaign could be in trouble.

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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 12:54 PM.